Suicide Prevention Awareness

In 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) established September 10th as World Suicide Prevention Day (IASP, 2022). Later, in 2008, the United States officially designated the month of September as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month (National Child Traumatic Stress Network, n.d.). Since then, mental health institutions, universities, advocacy groups, and others have commemorated those lost to suicide each September. 

On a personal note, I am involved in Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University’s Two-Generation Approach to Suicide Risk laboratory led by Dr. Ana Ortin Peralta. Below, I have included some statistics I learned when conducting my research in lab:

• Suicide is the second most common cause of death in adolescents ages 15-19 and the leading cause of death in children ages 10-14 (Centers for Disease Control’s National Center for Health Statistics, 2024) 
• The CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS; 2021) have found the following:
  • 21% of high schoolers and 17.7-31.9% of middle schoolers have seriously considered suicide
  • 17.6% of high schoolers and 13.2-25.2% of middle schoolers have made a plan to attempt suicide
  • 10.2% of high schoolers and 5.9-15.1% of middle schoolers have attempted suicide in the United States 

These numbers describe a jarring reality and show the very real danger children and adolescents face. Despite this, there are ways to decrease the risk of suicide. In 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services launched The National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. Its overall goal is to provide community support and mental health resources to those struggling with suicidal ideation.

No two individuals are the same, but with research, advocacy, and support, we can learn more about how to help those considering suicide or recovering from a suicide attempt. This September, each of us should set a goal to be a listening ear to a friend, family member, or community member who may be having a hard time. It could save their life.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call 988 immediately or go to your nearest emergency room.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics (2024). Underlying Cause of Death, 2018-2022, Single Race Results [Data set]. CDC WONDER. https://wonder.cdc.gov/controller/datarequest/D158;jsessionid=AF485292C733C36648E7E2AFB54C

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2021). Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) [Data set]. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/results.htm

The International Association for Suicide Prevention (2022). About WSPD. https://www.iasp.info/WSPD/about/

National Child Traumatic Stress Network (n.d.). National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. https://www.nctsn.org/resources/public-awareness/national-suicide-prevention-awareness-month#:~:text=Hesitations%20&%20Motivations%20for%20Participating%20in,of%20organizational%20readiness%20and%20fit.